Category: Local News

Sri Lanka urges farmers to plant more rice amid crisis

Sri Lanka is calling on farmers to grow more rice as it faces its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years.



VAT gazette published

The gazette notification on the increase in the Value Added Tax was published today (June 01) under the signature of Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.



Six more arrested over May 09 violence in Colombo

Another six persons have been arrested over the unrest and violence reported opposite Temple Trees (Maina Go Gama) and in Galle Face (Gota Go Gama) on May 09.



Bankrupt Sri Lanka hikes taxes

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced steep, across-the-board tax hikes to shore up revenue as the country suffers its worst economic downturn and seeks an IMF bailout.



Sri Lanka increases VAT to 12% & Telecommunication Levy to 15%

The Value Added Tax (VAT) has been increased from 8% to 12% with immediate effect, announced the Office of the Prime Minister today (May 31).



Supreme Court suspends presidential pardon granted on Duminda Silva

Supreme Court today (May 31) issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of Presidential Pardon granted by President to former parliamentarian Duminda Silva.



Vikum Liyanage appointed as the 24th Army Commander of Sri Lanka

Major General Vikum Liyanage has been appointed as the new 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (May 31).



Gazette issued detailing functions of Ministries of Sri Lanka

42 Department, Statutory Boards and State Corporations including the Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), Board of Investment (BOI) and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission have been gazetted under the Defence Ministry which is under Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.



Shashi Weerawansa released on bail

Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa was today (May 31) released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.



Cabinet approves Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to amend Acts to increase state revenue

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to amend a number of financial acts to increase the revenue of the government.



Cabinet approves supplementary budget of Rs. 695 Billion

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to submit a supplementary estimate to the Parliament for the provision of Rs. 695 billion under the “Budget Assistance Services and Emergency Responsibilities” project of the National Budget Department.



Five murders reported in several parts of the country

A 48-year-old woman was murdered in a restaurant at the Dematagoda railway station while sleeping with her 10-year-old son.



UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson spoke to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last afternoon (May 30).



Sri Lanka’s President instructs officials to take speedy actions to ensure food security

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the relevant officials to immediately launch a comprehensive public-private partnership programme on food security.



‘Ratta’ – Sri Lankan YouTuber arrested

Sri Lankan YouTuber Rathidu Senarathna, also known as ‘Ratta’, was arrested by Sri Lanka Police on this afternoon (May 30).



World Bank to disburse USD 700M to Sri Lanka within the next few months

The World Bank Country Manager in Colombo, Chiyo Kanda has assured that approximately USD 700 million will be disbursed to Sri Lanka within the next few months.